His body feels great, so evergreen Smith looks forward to playing Super Rugby again

FORMER Wallaby loose forward George Smith has signed a two-year deal with the Reds, the Super Rugby team said yesterday.

Smith, regarded as one of Australia’s finest openside flanks over a 111-cap career, will join the Brisbane-based side for the 2017 and 2018 sea- sons while also playing for Suntory Sungoliath in Japan’s Top League.

“George will be the best possible mentor to our young group and our emerging backrowers,” Reds’ executive general manager Daniel Herbert said in a media release.

“We’re looking forward to what he can offer our programme both on and off the field. We are grateful to Suntory Sungoliath for their understanding and support.”

The evergreen 35-year-old enjoyed a stellar 2015-16 season with English Premiership side Wasps and was named the Players’ Player of the Year in England last month.

He will add vital experience to a raw Reds side which has been rebuilding in the wake of the departures of a number of seasoned Wallabies, including scrumhalf Will Genia and flyhalf Quade Cooper.

“The body feels great and the experience in England has been outstanding,” said Smith, who played 142 games for the Canberra-based Brumbies in Super Rugby.

“I’m really looking forward to playing Super Rugby again.

“My family and I are relocating to Brisbane for the long term and so the opportunity to make a very strong contribution to the Queensland Reds and also the broader Queensland community is something we are really excited about as a family.

“They are building a really strong playing list and I believe I can make a big impression.” – Reuters